Is ‘freak’ Robinson worth picking at 12?
Texas running back could be vital complement to Pierce, but value at the position often is found in later rounds
AUSTIN — The first time Tarique Milton heard about Bijan Robinson was during the 2021 season while his school was game-planning for Texas. Milton, who played for Iowa State at the time before later transferring UT, recalls his coaches’ message: “Watch out for the running back. Stop the run.”
Milton had a feeling what the Cyclones were in for, but he didn’t really know until he saw it up close.
“Watching him play, he was different,” Milton said. Then once I got here, it was official. The way he moved. The way his body looked. Everything. Seeing him in person, in game, it was official.”
Google Bijan Robinson, and one of the first descriptors that pops up is “freak.”
Look at his highlights, and you can see why. He’s consistently making players miss and running for touchdowns. He ran for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns during the 2022 season. He also had 19 receptions for 314 yards and two more touchdowns.
“He has all the ability to do things that some running backs can’t do,” Longhorns teammate D’Shawn Jamison said. “He does things I’ve never seen a running back do.”
What does that include?
“Him catching the ball and being able to look like a receiver,” Jamison said. “Not too many running backs can look like a receiver out there on the field.”
That’s one of the primary reasons multiple scouts from NFL teams showed up at Texas’ pro day Thursday. The Texans had three scouts in attendance.
Though Robinson didn’t participate in any drills, he helped his teammates with whatever they needed and cheered them on. He also shook hands and talked to scouts.
Robinson had already done his work at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where he ran a 4.46 40 and posted a 37-inch vertical jump and 10 foot, 4 inch broad jump.
“He’s a workaholic,” Milton said. “Everything he does, it just looks effortless.”
Robinson left the building after the pro day ended. But before leaving, he went one-by-one down a line of observers, reporters and scouts, introducing himself.
He said he had a meeting with the Tennessee Titans that he needed to get to and that he didn’t have time to speak to the media.
Before leaving, though, he told the Chronicle that he met with the Texans formally during the combine but wasn’t sure yet whether they’d invite him for one of their top-30 visits.
“I don’t know, but I hope so,” Robinson said with a smile.
The biggest question with Robinson: How high do you take him? The Texans have three picks in the first two rounds: No. 2, No. 12 and No. 33.
In recent years, teams have been able to find great running backs after day one. Look at Dameon Pierce, whom the Texans drafted in the fourth round last year. For about half the 2022 season, he was one of the front-runners for NFL offensive rookie of the year.
Pierce was well on his way to a 1,000-yard season before an ankle injury kept him out for a few games, and general manager Nick Caserio decided to shut him down.
But while good running backs can be found later in the draft, Robinson is a special talent. Some mock drafts have him going high as No. 10 to the Eagles, while others have him going late in the first round.
The Texans could have an opportunity to draft Robinson at No. 12 if they see the value.
A combination of Robinson and Pierce could be magical. And some help at the position is needed for the Texans. When Pierce went down with an injury in Week 14, no other running back on the roster had rushed for more than 186 yards.
Because Pierce had no real complements, the Texans had the third-worst rushing offense in the league last season.
Additionally, the shelf life on running backs is generally low because of the amount of hits they consistently take. And those who have watched Pierce play know he’s no stranger to taking punishment. He invites it.
Multiple teams have had success with two-running-back systems or a running back and quarterback who could run.
The Cowboys used Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard together last season. Pollard ran for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns, while Elliott ran for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Browns have used Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in tandem for the past few years. The Lions had a 1-2 punch in D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
The 49ers’ offense was predicated on the power running game and play-action passes. At times, they used two running backs out of the backfield, employing Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuels or Elijah Mitchell.
The Texans could do the same with Pierce and Robinson. The question remains: Should they take Robinson at No. 12 when there’s value at the position in later rounds and they have so many needs?
“I don’t think you will find a back that is as complete as him,” Milton said. “You’ve seen he can get outside, catch the hardest balls. He can line up inside. He’s not afraid to run through the holes. I feel like you get a dynamic back that’s versatile, that can do it all. You take him in a heartbeat.”